scatter

/ˈskætɚ/

Reviewed on

Also a noun

Meaning

  1. To throw or drop things loosely in different directions over a wide area.

    • He scattered grass seed across the bare patches in the yard.

    • The wind had scattered dry leaves all over the driveway.

  2. To move quickly apart in various directions, especially out of fear or surprise.

    • The birds scattered into the trees when the dog barked.

    • Did the crowd scatter after the sudden downpour began?

How it's used

When this means “spread things across an area”

  • scatter seeds across the field

“scatter them across it.”

She scattered crumbs across the patio table.

When this means “disperse suddenly in many directions”

  • scatter in all directions

The deer scattered into the woods at sunrise.

Collocations

  • scatter ashes
  • scatter seeds
  • scatter leaves
  • scatter into the crowd

Synonyms

Antonyms